By KAIKO NAMUSA –

VETERAN politician Vernon Mwaanga has said Zambia’s economy has continued to grow but that there is need for stringent measures to curb high poverty levels.

Mr Mwaanga said 2013 had been a year of mixed blessings for Zambia, Africa and the world at large, following a spate of conflicts in countries such as South Sudan, Mali, Egypt and the Central African Republic.

“Here at home, the economy has continued to register growth, although poverty levels have remained high. We have seen no dialogue between Government and opposition parties to discuss important issues such as the Constitution roadmap, the Public Order Act and the future of our country in general,” Mr Mwaanga said.

He said in 2014, there was need for a more inclusive approach to governance, and more political dialogue.

He said Zambians have a collective duty to ensure that the country had a new Republican Constitution in 2015, which would protect the rights and freedoms of all.

Yesterday Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) Joyce Nonde-Simukoko called on Zambians not to concentrate on political bickering as this did not benefit the country’s prosperity.

The FFTUZ leader described 2013 as a successful year in various spheres but expressed concern that more time was being wasted on talking instead of putting in place measures that would benefit the country.

Ms Simukoko hailed Government’s efforts to realise positive results for the country, adding that the same spirit should continue in 2014.